POWER THE FUTURE.
SHIFT TO ELECTRIC.

The cost of electric vehicle (EV) technology is dropping fast. Battery prices have plummeted by nearly 90% over the last decade. Studies show the total cost of ownership (TCO) for an electric truck is already cheaper than a diesel truck in some cases, and the costs continue to decline.

To reach affordability, markets must be ready to buy these trucks. However, Volvo and Daimler are pushing back against critical regulations—in the U.S. and beyond—that are designed to make this possible.

Volvo and Daimler claim EV infrastructure isn’t ready, yet they’re betting on hydrogen technology, which has far less infrastructure and faces even bigger hurdles to scale. Moreover, they have the resources, influence, and capacity to organize—and invest in—part of the infrastructure they need to stop producing dirty trucks.

Volvo and Daimler are supporting charging infrastructure in some regions—primarily in Europe and to a lesser extent in the U.S.A. If their commitments are genuine, why not strive for the same high standard wherever their trucks are sold?

Numerous electric truck models with a 300+ km (180+ mile) range—more than enough for most regional deliveries, which make up the bulk of freight transport—have been available for years with tens of thousands already on the road. And battery technology–along with rapid 30-minute megawatt charging—is advancing quickly.

Both companies have also announced—or have now started selling—electric trucks with ranges exceeding 500 km (310 miles). They are capable of releasing these trucks globally. So why are they still pushing CNG, LNG or biofuels outside the E.U.?

Electric trucks offer fewer moving parts, less maintenance, and fewer breakdowns than diesel models, reducing downtime and costs while pleasing drivers.

Major companies are already adopting electric trucks—Pepsico, UPS, and FedEx in the U.S.; IKEA and DHL in the E.U.; and Ambev in Brazil—all cutting emissions and improving efficiency.

Volvo and Daimler must ensure these products are available to early adopters and expand sales and support to help all fleet operators, regardless of size, make the transition.

Electric trucks are financially viable while protecting health and the environment. They have zero tailpipe emissions, hold the greatest potential for responsible sourcing, and are the only solution that can achieve near full circularity–which, together, can greatly reduce the impact of manufacturing trucks in the first place. 

Some companies have solely committed to electric, but Volvo and Daimler have made a variety of “zero-emission” commitments that include electric trucks, but also questionable solutions like biofuels and hydrogen.